Gastroenterology

Overweight children and adolescents are at least twice as likely as their peers to have gallstones, according to a study published in the Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been referred to as a "stealth virus" because most people who develop chronic hepatitis C don't know they are infected.

The medical community welcomed two new direct-acting antiviral (DAA) agents for HCV-telaprevir (Incivek, Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated) and boceprevir (Victrelis, Merck & Co., Inc.)-with an excitement that hadn't been seen since 1990.

Poor sleep is connected to a significantly increased risk for major cardiovascular and metabolic disorders, such as obesity, diabetes, and coronary artery disease, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine have found.

Living in sunnier parts of the country appears to be associated with a reduced risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), particularly after the age of 30, indicates a long-term prospective US-based study.

Women who suffer from celiac disease are more likely to report symptoms of depression and disordered eating, even if they follow a gluten-free diet, researchers have found.

According to a recent longitudinal study, the prevalence of acid reflux has risen significantly over the past decade, with women in particular more susceptible to the ailment as they aged than men.

Women with endometriosis are much more likely to develop inflammatory bowel disease than women without the reproductive disorder.

This holiday season, giant holiday meals will be the source of painful symptoms-such as heartburn-for the 45 million Americans living with acid reflux, including many who suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Doctors across the nation, however, are striving to aid these sufferers by conveying some tips on how to avoid acid reflux issues this season.

A research group based in Israel has published results of a study investigating how the clinical characteristics of gastroesophageal reflux disease patients who respond to proton pump inhibitor therapy differ from those of patients who fail to respond.

A multi-state outbreak of infection with Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli that occurred in 2009 has been traced back to an unlikely source: uncooked commercial prepackaged cookie dough.

Radiofrequency treatment of patients with refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease appears to improve symptoms by decreasing compliance of the gastroesophageal junction, a new study suggests.

There is strong evidence that GERD-induced aspiration helps to cause lung transplant failure, though more research is needed to identify the underlying pathogenic mechanism of injury to the transplanted organ, finds a recent review of studies on the topic.

Dhiraj Yadav, MD, discusses the epidemiology of chronic pancreatitis, including his finding that less than half of cases are due to alcohol-related causes, the role of cigarette smoking in causing the disease, and challenges in diagnosing pancreatic exocrine insufficiency.

According to two recently published studies, the risk of skin cancer may be increased in individuals who suffer from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); the risk is heightened by the use of immunosuppressant medications, which typically are used to treat IBD. At this time, there are no recommendations for skin cancer screenings in IBD individuals.

Dr. Jean-Paul Achker said there is room for improvement of response rates with current treatment approaches. "There may be a limited window of time to maximize anti-TNFα therapy, as evidenced by the observed loss of response over time, the need to increase the dose of anti-TNFα therapy, and immunogenicity," he said.

K.V. Narayanan Menon, MD, talks about Cleveland Clinic's patients with liver cancer.

"IL-28B receptor polymorphism is an important predictor of SVR in patients treated with pegylated interferon and ribavirin," said Binu John, MD at the Cleveland Clinic.

Ahmed Kandiel, MD, MPH, at the Cleveland Clinic concluded his lecture, "Which Patient/Which Biologic," by reviewing the results of a recently published meta-analysis which examined the risks and benefits of biologic therapy for patients with moderate-to-severe IBD.

Ahmed Kandiel, MD, MPH, kicked off the 47th Annual Gastroenterology Update with a thorough review of the current treatment landscape for moderate to severe inflammatory bowel disease, including the potential risks for side effects for each biologic agent.

Bret Lashner, MD, MPH, FACG, shares his thoughts about the first day of the 47th Annual Gastroenterology Update at the Cleveland Clinic, including the recent developments with inflammatory bowel disease and hepatitis C therapy.

An "observer bias" that leads doctors to interpret upper gastrointestinal symptoms as signs of gastroesophageal reflux disease has led to an increase in diagnoses of the condition, a study finds.